mcfam's Passport
 | Been to 435 Attractions |
 | 330 Reviews |
 | 203 First to Review |
 | 1012 Photos |
 | 180 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
My husband and I have 4 kids... 3 boys and then our girl. We homeschool them all and travel when possible. We just started letterboxing and are finding ourselves a little obsessed with it.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, structured, relaxed, simple, independent, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Sequoia National Park and Wuksachi Lodge
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Camping in Kings Canyon or Yosemite
A Place We'd Love To Visit
The Redwoods in Northern California
Favorite Vacation Memory
Walking the meadows of Yosemite with my family. The quiet, the sparkling water, the rustling grasses, and a dip in the river made for an amazing day.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Anytime throw up is involved. Especially when one kid triggers another. And when we are in the car. And when they choose to use the box that is holding all their library books and toys.
Websites I Like:
Favorite Yosemite National Park Activities
What we love to do in Yosemite
Wawona Road
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Make this your first stop on your way into Yosemite when traveling on Hwy 41 from Fresno. After you drive through the long tunnel there will be a pull out on the right and left of the road. It's much easier to pull out to the right, and the view is just as majestic. The best spot to take a family picture!
reviewed on: June 15 2010
"Pull over to the right"
When coming from the Fresno area, we have found that it is best to exit to the right parking lot instead of the left. The right parking area is less crowded and still has amazing views. Too many times we have turned left and found it very difficult to get back out of the parking lot to continue into the valley. And like all the other reviews have said... don't miss this amazing place... it's worth a stop every time you come to Yosemite!
Bridalveil Fall
Wawona Road, Yosemite Valley Mariposa, California
Comment:
Make this your second stop into Yosemite Valley. It's not easy to get to this location once you are further into the valley because of the one-way loop driving system. Plus, the shuttle bus doesn't drive here. It's a beautiful waterfall and a short hike.
reviewed on: June 12 2010
"First stop"
Make this your first stop when coming into Yosemite Valley. Actually your second... if you come from Fresno because the Tunnel View should be everyone's first stop! Bridalveil Fall is beautiful and is a great little walk for cramped legs. Once you get to your destination in Yosemite Valley (Curry Village, Yosemite Lodge, etc.) and you park your car, it's not easy to get back to Bridalveil Fall. The shuttle busses don't come here, and when you are driving out of the valley, you have to loop back to get to this fall, then drive through the whole valley again before you can drive home. Quite a bit of extra driving!
Expect lots of cars in the parking lot and long lines at the bathroom. We waited for about 20 minutes to use the potty on a weekend.
The hike is short and a bit steep at the end. Not a large viewing area but beautiful just the same. It is stroller friendly but with large crowds, it can be hard to maneuver. If you can manage without a stroller, it may be more enjoyable.
Take time to explore the trails around the falls because they are less crowded and provide other views of the falls.
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
This falls is easily accessed from a 1/2 mile paved trail that starts near Yosemite Lodge. Park your car for the day in one of the many lots and take the shuttle to this must-see falls.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"Dry waterfall also beautiful"
We have visited these falls in August of many years and still find them spectacular! So don't miss a visit just because there may not be much water coming down. Another thing to note is that if the falls are somewhat dry and you have older children who you feel comfortable letting scramble over the often slippery rocks, there are many pools to explore and discover, including a deep one just at the base of the lower falls.
Bring a picnic lunch and eat on the rocks across the bridge or under the bridge. Our kids had a great time splashing in the little pools under the bridge and floating sticks down the little "waterfalls" created by the many rocks.
Center of Curry Village Loop
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Tucked back in the far reaches of the valley floor is the Happy Isles area which is a great spot to explore, start a hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls and Half Dome, or to discover the Nature Center which is great for families.
Only reachable via the Shuttle Bus or a 1 mile walk from Curry Village.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"Outside the nature center"
Another favorite place for us to explore!My whole family loves exploring the bridges and islands that give this place the name "isles" There are rocks to climb on, pools of water to play in (icy cold!), and a fen to learn about. A fen is like a swamp area for water to spread out in, be filtered and seep into the ground. The air coming off the fen is cool and sweet. Last summer we saw 2 young brown bears tumbling and wrestling playfully together near the trail. We watched from afar, quite safe, and enjoyed seeing them play.
Happy Isle Road
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
A very steep 1 mile trail takes hikers to the top of this beautiful waterfall only visible via the trail that starts at Happy Isles or from viewing it at Glacier Point.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"the longest 1 mile"
I remember hiking this trail as a teenager and thinking, "it's only 1 mile to the top of the falls", and then once I was at the top thinking, "that was the longest 1 mile I have ever walked!" The trail starts off directly on a steep uphill incline with impressive views of the rushing river below and a look out view of Yosemite Falls across the valley floor. You will pass impressive rocks, lots of trees and squirrels until you reach the bridge at the half way point. The bridge offers a spectacular view of Vernal Falls. There is water and a bathroom here, lots of people and lots of squirrels.
The next section of the trail offers about 200 stairs and sharp drop offs to the river below. When the falls are full, the stairs can be wet and slippery and you may get drenched. When you reach the destination at the top prepared to be impressed. What a beautiful view of the thundering water pouring over the edge of the cliff!
Surprisingly, the trip DOWN can be HARDER. Your muscles are fatigued and they have to work hard at stopping your downward momentum. Hard on the knees and thigh muscles.
Despite it being a LONG 1 mile, I have hiked this trail many times since I was a teenager and have loved it every time. My feet and legs have always complained the next day, however!
p.s. We took our two oldest boys to the top last summer (9,7) They made it with a lot of encouragement and bribery. They enjoyed it, but it was very hard work. They said later that they never want to do it again. We trust they'll change their mind when they are older and stronger. So think carefully whether your kids are strong enough to get enjoyment out of this hike!
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Further up the Merced River from Vernal Falls (approx. 1-2 more miles) is this very steep and amazing waterfall. Access the trail from Happy Isles.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"Amazing waterfall"
This is the second waterfall up the trail from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. To reach this one, you will first have to climb to the top of Vernal Falls. Then another mile or so up is this equally amazing waterfall. The hike itself is beautiful. The trail wanders through a pine forest with refreshing shade and then enters a section of switchbacks on granite steps. These steps can be hard to maneuver because they are not quite stair steps but are more like flagstones set in an incline. They have been worn smooth over the years and can be a bit slippery.
A strenuous hike with inherent dangers but an amazing and rewarding view from the top.
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Take the shuttle bus from Curry Village around the loop just past Happy Isles to the trail head for Mirror Lake. It's a 1 mile trail uphill to a beautiful view of Half Dome and a sometimes full lake (during spring)
reviewed on: June 13 2010
"Correct expectations"
Go on this hike with your kids with the right expectations and it will be a great experience. Wrong ones can lead to big disappointments. As a teenager, I couldn't wait to get to this lake to go swimming and find a big rock to jump off into the water. That was the wrong expectation.
As a mom, I knew better and took my kids on this long hike (1 mile one way is long for them) with a steep hill the last half of the hike with the expectation of finding a widened flat stream area to wade in, throw rocks into and explore. We chose to go on a rather cool day in the summer and that was also good planning. It can be a rather hot hike with not enough water to swim in at the end.
We were pleasantly surprised with seeing the flat, wide face of Half Dome with a climber on a "port a ledge" half way up the face. My little ones waded in the water and climbed some big rocks and had a great time.
I recently saw my friend's pictures of their camping trip to Yosemite on facebook. I couldn't understand where they had found a big rock with a big area of water to jump into. Apparently, Mirror Lake is big enough to jump into in late May! I was shocked and now can't wait to visit this place earlier in the season than August.
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Down in the valley along the Merced River is this little pedestrian bridge which is a great starting place for a peaceful meadow walk or a swim in the beach side of the river.
Take the shuttle bus past Yosemite Falls and Lodge and exit at the Sentinel Bridge Stop before the Chapel.
reviewed on: June 12 2010
"Best beach"
The beach on the river next to this pedestrian only bridge is one of our favorites in Yosemite Valley. The sand is wide and clean, the water is shallow and smooth with some deeper parts for swimming, and the view in incomparable. Yosemite Falls is straight ahead, Half Dome just to your right, and Glacier Point behind.This bridge is across the road from the chapel and is best accessed by shuttle stop 11. If you take the shuttle, walk along the Merced River with Half Dome behind you until you find this little bridge. The beach is on the other side of the river. From the chapel, cross the road towards Yosemite Falls and walk away from Half Dome until you find this little bridge.
Enjoy a picnic, swimming and wading here. No restroom facilities available.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Enjoy this meadow by taking the Shuttle Bus to the Sentinel Bridge Stop and walking along the Merced River with amazing views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"peaceful"
This was one of my favorite walks with my husband and young kids last summer. The trails through the meadow are on a boardwalk at times and a thin path along the river at other times. There is no incline and no destination. The object is to try to take in the stillness, quiet and amazing beauty all around. You can see almost every major dome and waterfall and river from this meadow and usually the crowds are absent.In the evening, wildlife is abundant. We saw many bucks and does feeding on the grasses here. On an early morning drive by the meadow, I saw several brown bears.
Enjoy!
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
This meadow is closer to El Capitan and can be reached by car or the less-frequently running El Capitan Shuttle. Take a walk in the meadow or enjoy swimming in the quiet (late summer) Merced River.
reviewed on: June 03 2010
"El Capitan Shuttle"
We caught the El Capitan Shuttle bus from in front of the Valley Visitor Center (Near shuttle stop 5) out to El Capitan meadow and Cathedral Beach. When the bus crossed the river we got off at stop E4. There we found a beautiful calm river with wide sandy beaches and a majestic view of El Capitan. Our kids floated in the river, swam and played in the sand. This area was out of the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Village and offered quiet enjoyment and beautiful views.
We enjoyed taking a rarely used shuttle service in a nice charter bus. Free!
This shuttle runs only in the summer.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
This bridge sports the most famous view of Half Dome. Many photographers stop here to take a photo of Half Dome lit up by the sunset (alpenglow). Exit the Sentinel Bridge Stop from the Shuttle Bus.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"Picture postcard of Half Dome"
One of the best places to view Half Dome from the valley floor. Half Dome is perfectly reflected in the calm waters of the Merced River from this bridge.One of the best times to visit this bridge is right at sunset when the alpenglow lights up Half Dome while the valley is darkened in shadow by the setting sun.
Bring your camera!
Yosemite Village Loop
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
A great place to visit to get an overall understanding of the geography and wildlife of Yosemite. Great maps, ranger assistance and wilderness permits are available here.
reviewed on: June 15 2010
"3D map"
Our favorite thing to see in this visitor center is the 3D relief map of Yosemite Valley. It is very large and detailed and you can trace your fingers along the cliffs, the waterfalls and the trails. It really gives a good perspective of where you are and what there is to see in Yosemite. The funny thing is, I remember seeing that when I was a kid... brings back memories.The kids exhibits were a bit upgraded last summer and had some interesting things for them to explore. For instance, we learned that there is a bird that dives in the water of the river and hangs on to rocks to find some fish to eat. Pretty cool!
But to really learn about Yosemite... you just have to stay outdoors and experience it. I think it's good that this visitor center is so small... so that you just can't stay indoors long. There's too much great stuff to see, like Yosemite Falls thundering right over your head when you walk out the back door of this center.
Yosemite Village
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
A short meandering walk near the Visitor Center will help kids and families learn more about the first inhabitants of Yosemite Valley.
reviewed on: June 13 2010
"Combine with Visitor Center"
This little Indian Village and Museum is right next to the Visitor Center and the Yosemite Cemetery. We took our kids through all of them in one afternoon on a recent trip to Yosemite. It is worth combining them all so that on other days, you are free to explore the river, the waterfalls and the many biking and hiking trails.It's honestly hard for me to enjoy these centers when the real beauty of Yosemite is right outdoors, so we usually make our visits quick.
My kids liked walking through this Indian Village at their own pace, looking at all the plants that the natives used, the bark covered tepees that they lived in and the tools that helped in their daily life. The Museum showcased the beautiful baskets that they weaved and their clothes. We wandered into the art room to look at more recent canvases, and I found ourselves a little embarrassed at our loud kids in a silent art gallery, but it was all ok.
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
A drive to Glacier Point will bring the most awe-inspiring views to visitors. Peer down a 2,000 foot cliff to the valley below and gaze across at the slender side of Half Dome. You will not regret the drive to this amazing place.
reviewed on: June 15 2010
"Bees"
This is an absolutely beautiful view... incomparable. I was very thankful to realize that all (almost all) the edges of the cliffs were walled off with stone or fencing so that I did not have to fear my kids getting too close to the edge. Even so, it can be nerve wracking to visit this place as a mom. But even if you don't go near the edge, the views are amazing. There have been lots of bees here in previous summers, so be prepared. They love meat (especially our tuna) so it might be wise to eat in the car.
If this is your first time to Yosemite, by all means go to Glacier Point. But if you have visited this place before, I would recommend the hikes to Taft Point or Sentinel Dome which provide equally amazing views at the end of a 1 mile hike. Trail heads start along the Glacier Point Road.
Glacier Point Road
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Along the road to Glacier Point is the trail head to Sentinel Dome where a 1 mile hike will take you to the top of a high-alpine granite dome with views of Yosemite Valley and the Sierra Nevada.
reviewed on: June 11 2010
"Grand"
When we got to the top of this rounded dome on the top of the south side cliff of Yosemite valley we were amazed at the 360 degree view of Yosemite National Park including all of the Sierra Nevada range. Most all of the main points of Yosemite valley were in view, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Mirror Lake, Vernal and Nevada Falls, about 3,000 feet below us. On the top of this dome, there stood an ancient and twisted Jeffrey Pine tree that had withstood crazy weather and poor soil. I don't know if it's there any more, but it's worth the hike to get a picture of that amazing tree.
Our only son, at the time, was a baby in our backpack, so I was not concerned about the danger of this place. As an adult, I felt fairly safe because there was no steep edge to fall off of. But be aware that there are inherent dangers in this location.
Glacier Point Road
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
Starting from the same trail head to Sentinel Dome along the road to Glacier Point is the 1 mile trail to Taft Point. This Point has gut-wrenching views and drop offs to the valley floor, nearly 3,000 feet down. There is only one area with guard rails so be aware that it may not be a safe place to take children!
reviewed on: June 03 2010
"Awesome View"
Taft Point is quite an amazing lookout point on the south side of Yosemite Valley. You can see 3,000 feet to the valley below and all across to familiar landmarks: Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, North Dome and El Capitan.To reach this point, we hiked a moderately easy path through pine forests for about 1 mile from the parking lot. The parking lot is along the road to Glacier Point and it shares the trail head to Sentinel Dome. As far as I know, there is not a trail from the valley floor up to this point, nor would I want to attempt that climb!
The view at the cliff's edge took my breath away, and made me feel like I was losing my stomach as well. Our baby boy was in the backpack on daddy's back, so I wasn't worried about little kids getting too near the edge. Please be advised that this place is definitely worth seeing, but it could be VERY DANGEROUS for children. Bring water.
Curry Village
Yosemite National Park, California
Comment:
A must-do fun activity in the winter with open air views of Half Dome and Glacier Point.
reviewed on: May 27 2010
"Ice skating at it's finest"
Imagine ice skating outdoors on a nice ice rink with a 4,000 foot cliff wall rising to your right, and a view of one of the finest domes (Half Dome) in California. It can't get any grander than this.Yosemite is a wonderful place to visit in the winter and I highly recommend adding ice skating to your list of things you must do!
